Tolon Statement: Justice for Floyd Protests

Statement:

We have been struggling to find the correct words and thinking about what we must do – together as a community – to change the inequalities of society. As we stood in solidarity with those protesting for #justiceforfloyd, we could see their pain, hear their frustration, and empathize with their longing for change in our society to create equality for all humans. We must stand up and be the change. We must stand up and be the voice for those that are voiceless. We stand in solidarity with our friends in the Black community and all communities of color, and we work to fight for change against the racism, inequalities, and injustices in our community and in society. Tolon’s mission and philosophy has always guided what we do – our food, our hospitality, and how we live. Everyone is welcome at our table. However, we know we must do more. “When you know better, you do better” as Maya Angelou once shared. We know better. So, we will do better. 
-Tolon
To show our support, Tolon will be donating 10% of all sales (includes dine-in and carryout) on each Wednesday in June to the Fort Wayne United Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne United is designed to answer the call to enhance opportunities, advance youth advocacy, and help create a safer city for all, but more specifically for black men and boys. By bringing together a group of passionate and committed leaders, the initiative will educate, inform, and engage the community in an effort to make positive change one neighborhood at a time.

Book recommendations:

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Dr. Robin DiAngelo
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together In the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

Organizations to support:

Color of Change
Black Lives Matter
Fort Wayne United